Inspection of Shop Fabricated ASTs per the SPCC Rule

Inspection of Shop FabricatedInspection of Shop Fabricated ASTs per the SPCC RuleASTs per the SPCC Rule

Wayne B. Geyer, P.E.Steel Tank InstituteA Division of STI/SPFA

Wayne B. Geyer, P.E.Wayne B. Geyer, P.E. Steel Tank InstituteSteel Tank Institute A Division of STI/SPFAA Division of STI/SPFA

“Few states have any certifications for AST installers and it shows in the creative ways the tank systems are installed.”

- John Cignatta, course instructor for STI AST inspector certification

• Doorways in dikes • No overfill alarms • …..

adequate containment

• Leaking tank

Major Facility Review of 28 tanks at a

• Nearly 90% lacked adequate venting

• Over 50% lacked

Review of 28 tanks at a Major Facility

0 20 40 60 80 100

Serious Other

Emergency Vent

Overfill

UL Listing

Containment

Normal Vent

Spill Control

% of tanks

Mis

sing

ite m

API 653 or STI SP001

• Requires “Integrity

Revised SPCC Rules

• References industry standards – Tank inspection per

Testing” – Visual inspection

alone no longer sufficient

Test Each Aboveground Container for Integrity

• Section 112.8(c)(6) • On a regular schedule • Combine visual inspection with

another testing technique – Hydrostatic testing – Radiographic testing – Ultrasonic testing – Other nondestructive shell testing

• Frequently inspect the outside of

– Acoustic emissions testing

container

Show me some tanks!!!

AST Standards for Shop Fabricated Tanks

• API - American Petroleum Institute

• UL - Underwriters Laboratories

• SwRI - Southwest Research Institute

API Specifications

• API 12F – “Specification for Shop Welded Tanks for

Storage of Production Liquids” – Vertical, cylindrical only

• API 650, Appendix J – “Shop Assembled Welded Steel Tanks

for Oil Storage” – Vertical, cylindrical only

API Vertical Tanks

API Vertical-UL Horizontal Tanks

Underwriters Laboratories

• UL 142 “Steel Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids”

• UL 2085 “Protected Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids”

UL 142 Steel thickness

UL 142 type tanks

UL 142 type tanks

STI SP001-03

Standard for Inspection of In−Service Shop

Fabricated Aboveground Tanks for Storage of

Combustible and Flammable Liquids

How STI SP001 differs from API 653

• API 653 emphasis is the large, field constructed tanks per API 650. – Strictly vertical tanks. – The bottom of the tank is not visible.

• API 653 requirements are needed because – Large volume – Large pressure

How STI SP001 differs from API 653

• API 650 includes equations for calculating the steel thickness needed for a particular tank.

• API 653 allows for / requires more judgement by inspector

• Shop fabricated tanks – Tables that specify the steel thickness

– Manufactured in controlled shop environments

How STI SP001 differs from API 653

based on tank diameter and capacity. – Smaller capacities and smaller hydrostatic

pressures – Capacity up to 50,000 gallons.

50,000 gallon tank

Corrosion concerns

• Check corroded areas to find minimum thickness

Single wall tanks resting directly on the ground are a

concern!!

Periodic Inspection by tank owner

> Water inside tank > Vents > Pipe connections > Exterior paint > Foundation

www.steeltank.com/library/

pubs/waterinfueltanks.htm

Certified Inspection

• Performed by Qualified Tank Inspector – STI Trained and Certified – API Certified

• Every 10 Years • All types of tanks (single and double

wall, on ground and elevated)

September 20 - 24 • Tennessee

–

– June 14 - 18 • California

– July 19 - 23

STI AST Inspector Training

• Michigan – May 24 - 28

• New York

NEW for 2004 • Level 1

– Tank inspector • Level 2

– Tank system inspector

Level 2 – Tank System

• Tank type dictates inspection method: –Single wall not in contact with

ground –Single wall in contact with

ground –Double wall or double-bottom

STI Certified Inspection

Double wall or double-bottom • Check leak

detection system • Check for water or

fuel in interstice

STI Certified Inspection • UT Testing by

scanning if possible – Most reliable method

for determining wall thickness

– Qualified UT inspector necessary (ASNT Specifications)

• Must compare remaining wall thickness to original thickness

6. Certified Inspection Criteria

STI SP031-04

Standard for Repair of In−Service Shop

Fabricated Aboveground Tanks

for Storage of Combustible and

Flammable Liquids

• Patches • New bottoms

• Supervising Personnel – STI inspectors

SP031 Repair Standard

• Adding openings • Support

modifications

– API inspectors • Repair Personnel

– Tank manufacturer • Testing of repairs – –

ASME welders AWS welders

Tank owner surprises

Not all that meets the eye!

Tank #1

Tank #1

• No grounding anywhere • Unsecured AST's in a flood plain (Not a single anchor

bolt) • Many Electric Code Violations • Improperly Secured Conduits • OSHA Access Issue on the back stairs and top

platform • PVC Caps atop various nozzles (No Fire Rating for

PVC) • Labeling Issues

Tank #2

Tank #2

•

• •

Fuel Piping

• Unsupported Pipes Leaking Submersible Turbine Pump

•

•

No CP on buried fuel pipe runs Electric Code Violations

Kinked Flex Connector Improperly Installed

•

•

Combustible Materials stored inside dike Poor Control on Tank

• Pipes and conduits too close in pipe trench

• Unsupported Conduits • Missing Fire Diamonds

Filling Routine Spillage • Conduits between fuel

pipes in pipe trench

Tank #3

Tank #3

• •

Unsupported conduits Valve on Return Piping

•

•

• tank's annular space

• No Vehicle Damage

PVC Caps on various tank nozzles Flex Fuel lines secured to Unistrut with conduit clamps Normal vent on secondary

• No fire diamonds • Improper labeling of

nozzles

bottom)

– Veeder-Root bottom water floats can get hung up on shafts if rusty muck/mud forms in

• Tank not being sticked to check either ATGS accuracy or accumulation of water

Protection (i.e., bollards)

Get the BIG picture first

• Enough openings on top?

underground? • Tank next to river, is

it anchored? • Supports more than

12 in. high? • Condition of

foundation?

From 20 feet away….

• Dirt spots on tank, fuel spilled?

• Coated for • Adequate containment?

• Paint condition? • Level gauge visible?

• Adequate supports?

condition? • Weep holes? Use

UV light here

Closer inspection

• Emergency vent condition?

• Normal vent

• Look inside tank, but with proper training only.

New STI Standards Committee

To review inspection standards SP001 SP031

Does this Comply?

Inspection of Tanks Keeps Things Happy